NATO secretary general warns Putin faces risk of 'revolution' over oil crisis

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called for stronger unity between Europe and the United States in confronting global challenges posed by Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Speaking at a panel in West Point, Rutte stressed that Moscow is now facing a serious economic problem due to Ukraine’s targeted strikes on Russian oil and gas refineries.

According to Rutte, Ukraine’s campaign of drone attacks has destroyed nearly 17% of Russia’s oil supply. Unlike China, which has a diversified economy, Russia remains heavily dependent on petroleum. This one-sided reliance makes the Kremlin especially vulnerable when its energy infrastructure is under attack. The strikes are beginning to cause visible problems, including long lines at fuel stations across parts of Russia.

Rutte warned that if such fuel shortages occurred in Western countries, citizens would not tolerate it. Drawing a comparison to U.S. history, he remarked, “If you cannot fill up your cars, I think 1776 would happen again.” Yet, despite the growing frustration, the Russian public has so far remained relatively passive, allowing President Vladimir Putin to maintain control.

Still, Rutte cautioned against assuming that these setbacks will bring the war to a quick conclusion. The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has now dragged into its third year with no end in sight. Despite repeated peace initiatives, Moscow has shown little willingness to negotiate, continuing its daily strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

“The war shows we still need well-trained, motivated, and well-equipped soldiers,” Rutte said. He added that while some wars in history have been won outright, such as World War II or the Cold War, Ukraine’s conflict will most likely end through eventual negotiations.

Rutte also emphasized the importance of security guarantees for Ukraine once a peace deal or ceasefire is reached. He argued that President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people must feel assured that their sovereignty and safety will remain protected in the long term.

In conclusion, NATO’s leader highlighted that increasing pressure on Moscow is the only viable path to push Putin toward serious talks. While Ukraine’s strikes on Russian oil refineries have weakened a key pillar of the Kremlin’s economy, the broader outcome of the war still hinges on global unity and sustained support for Kyiv.